The late Kevin Towers was memorialized at a “Celebration Of Life” ceremony today at Petco Park, with scores of Towers’ friends and colleagues from around baseball in attendance. The Associated Press’ Jay Paris and the Padres’ Bill Center each have details on some of the memorials from the 22 speakers who shared their experiences and fond memories of Towers, whose 35 years in baseball included stints as the general manager of the Padres and the Diamondbacks. “He was one of the guys that always brought all the GMs together,” said former Reds and Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty. “Kevin loved life and lived it to the fullest. He suffered a lot in the last two years but he always stayed positive and fought a brave fight. There will never be another KT.”
Some more items from around the NL West…
- Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi stated earlier this week that the team is keeping an “open dialogue” with Clayton Kershaw about a potential contract extension. The ace southpaw seemingly agreed with that statement today, telling reporters (including MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick) that Zaidi’s description of the relationship is “a good way to put it.” Kershaw also said that he is “on the same page” with Dodgers management. Kershaw is signed through the 2020 season, though he can walk away from the final two seasons (and $55MM) on his contract if he exercises an opt-out clause after the coming season. He turns 30 in March and injuries have limited Kershaw to only 324 innings over the last two seasons, though he has still performed to his usual elite level when healthy. An extension would remove Kershaw from the 2018-19 free agent class, a group that is heavy on big names overall but potentially rather slim on the pitching side should Kershaw remain in Los Angeles.
- Bryan Shaw’s decision to join the Rockies was helped by an endorsement from his former Indians manager Terry Francona, Shaw tells Fangraphs’ David Laurila. “I talked to Tito a little bit about the teams that had interest in me. I got his opinion of the organizations — the managers and others with roles within those organizations. He had nothing but good things to say about Bud Black and the guys who are here,” Shaw said. Cleveland’s front office also offered help with any questions Shaw might’ve had about other teams, a further sign of the good relationship between the right-hander and his former team. Shaw said that he and the Tribe had talks about a possible contract extension midway through last season, “but from a numbers standpoint it never got there.” In December, Shaw signed a three-year deal with Colorado worth $27MM in guaranteed money, plus a potential vesting option for the 2021 season that would pay him $7MM in additional salary.
- Also from Laurila’s piece, he hears from right-hander Chris Young that multiple teams contacted the veteran about potential front office positions this winter. The 38-year-old isn’t quite ready to retire, and in fact hopes to play two more seasons, though he is realistic that his on-field future could be decided within the next few weeks. “This spring is going to determine that. I’m either going to show that I’m back to being myself, or that my stuff isn’t playing. If my stuff isn’t there and I can’t get outs, the time will have come to move on from the playing side,” Young said. The Padres signed Young to a minor league deal this winter to see if he can rebound from a very rough pair of seasons; Young posted a 6.52 ERA over 118 2/3 innings with the Royals in 2016-17, allowing a whopping 35 home runs in that stretch.
- After three years of shuttling between Triple-A and the Yankees’ big league roster, Bryan Mitchell is relieved to finally have a stable place in the Padres’ rotation, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes. “It’s awesome….To know that now, I can set all my focus on Opening Day and working toward that. I don’t have to put pressure on myself or worry about that,” Mitchell said. “It’s just less stress, to be honest — to know that’s how they [the Padres] feel and I have that waiting on me. I can just set my goals on that first start and have everything ready versus have everything ready and not knowing. It eliminates the unknown factor.” The Padres felt strongly enough about Mitchell’s potential that they were willing to take on the $13MM remaining on Chase Headley’s contract in order to acquire the right-hander from New York.
Hopefully they teach Bryan Mitchell how to catch a ball this spring
Pretty shut down in his two innings today
Hope to have an extension announced by opening day.
Another example why Tito and the CLE front office are a class act.
I was going to say the same thing. I love that Francona represents the Indians in such a classy, professional manner! GO TRIBE!
+1
Kershaw’s gonna look good in Boston.
Wishful thinking on Boston fans’ part. He’s not going anywhere.
Exactly keep dream! He’s surely not going anywhere!
Agreed
Some team could throw $35m a year at him and dare him to leave in free agency, Dodgers should be doing everything they can to make sure he doesn’t reach free agency
It’d be hard to imagine Kershaw not pitching in a dodgers uniform. Kershaw is probably the best in the game n but even he’s started to miss some time. It makes sense for him to talk extension.
He’s missed time in three of the last four seasons. Agreed the Dodgers will move heaven and earth to keep him in blue for the rest of his career, but his chronic back problem will have to figure into any extension arrangements. It isn’t going to get any better as he ages, it can only get only worse.
He is already making $35 million a year and has been for the last couple of years. He is probably going to sign an extension adding another 4 years onto his current deal. That would take him through his age 36 season which would total a 6/$210m deal Which is probably what he would get in FA because of his back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of option years tacked onto the end, with a solid chance of being guaranteed based on injuries/innings pitched.
Sooner or later the Dodgers are going to be hampered with his contract. I am sure they will see it as largely being worth it and I would have to agree with them.
The chances of Boston signing another pitcher to a $200+ million contract after the Price debacle is probably less than zero. Especially one with an injury history.
I can see a contract extension for Kershaw that is significantly performance-based. Guaranteed money in the $30m per range after 2020 but with the opportunity to earn close to $40m per if he can make a full season of starts ($1m/start bonus after 25?). This approach increases his earning ceiling but also provides some protection for the team if he winds up on the DL again. A secondary benefit to the Dodgers is that it could slightly lower their payroll calculation for the luxury tax in the immediate term.
Your right, its gonna look good watching him dominate game 7 of the world series in Boston as a Dodger
Still wouldn’t be enough to get past Houston or Cleveland but keep that wet dream of yours alive
The Indians? The team that has blown a 3-1 and 2-0 series lead. If i have to worry about the Astros or any other AL team that means my team made the World Series so im fine with that
This Indians team reminds me of the Mariners’ teams of the late 90’s early 00’s. Beasts during the season but they don’t seem to have what it takes once the playoffs begin. Also, both teams had to let integral players walk in free agency because of payroll constraints.
The Indians couldn’t get out of the Divisional Series last year with Santana, Shaw, Bruce, Smith and Jackson in the fold. They have replaced them with Alonso and several minor league signees. At the same time the Yankees and Red Sox have addressed their issues. Minnesota is a TOR arm away from challenging for the division.and the Angels could be a dark horse. Plus, the Astros have managed to actually improve on last years team. I like this Cleveland team but last year and 2015 was their best shot and this year could be their last serious chance (Allen, Chisenhall, Miller and Brantley hit FA after 18) I wouldn’t be surprised to see a fire sale in the next year or 2..
The window for the Tribe is larger then another year or 2. Lindor, Jose, Kluber, Carrasco are all going to be around awhile longer but once they start to go. It’ll be over. Mejia, Bobby Bradley and McKenzie might be able to keep the door cracked awhile longer too
That team that “doesn’t have what it takes once the playoffs begin” is a year removed from playing in the World Series. Yeah they choked (and did again last year), but the problem isn’t winning in the playoffs — it’s maintaining leads. That’s still a big problem, but up until they blew their lead against the Cubs in 2016, they were absolutely dominant that postseason. That doesn’t win titles, but I just wanted to point out how the notion that they can’t win at all in the playoffs is wrong.
I agree that it’s been frustrating to watch them sit back and do next to nothing this offseason (especially while everyone else has improved), but they’ll also likely have a full season of Yandy Diaz, Bradley Zimmer, and a healthy Kipnis, which should still be really helpful.
Allen and Miller hitting free agency after the year is a big concern, and even if they can manage to bring back one I’d be thrilled because there’s no way both are staying. But while Chisenhall and Brantley will be sorely missed if they leave, it’s also fair to point out that Chisenhall is a platoon corner outfielder and Brantley is injured so often that the Indians still get criticized for picking up a fairly small $12 million option on him. I think this year is the best chance they’ll have since they still have everyone else on the roster, but the window also isn’t closing and they still have Lindor, Ramirez, and most of the rotation for the foreseeable future. Anything can happen in sports, but to me the suggestion of a fire sale in a year or two is actually laughable.
Dominate? Dodgers have to actually make it past the NLDS this decade before you go ranting about dominating
Tuned out a little early last year?
In the past decade the Dodgers are 5 for 7 in winning the NLDS lol
And 0-1 in winning World Series since Reagan was president.
Ah the classic “they lost the world series” aftrr the prior statement was proven to be garbage
Huh? Did you miss something last year?
I really thought 2008 was going to be the Dodgers year after embarrassing the Cubs (best team in the NL) in the divisional series 3-0. Too bad they ran into that hungry Phillies team with Utley and his 1.169 OPS for the series. Definitely one of the better LCS I have seen and probably why the Dodgers keep re-signing Utley.
This has, hands down, got to be the most self-defeating comment in a long time.
Love the Twins too bud but Kershaw isn’t going anywhere. Not a remote chance he leaves LA. He’s the best and they have the money to do it. And they will.
Why would he tarnish his legacy by going there?
AL East wouldn’t be wise move for Kershaw. I don’t think there’s been a starting pitcher in modern times who broke in at 20, that was still close to the same at 34 or 35. Too many innings plus Kershaw has back problems. Other than driving the price LA would have to pay, Boston and the other big spenders should avoid the albatross Kershaw’s next contract will become.
hoping Kershaw extends through rest of career…also, let’s win World Series this year!
I agree. I am not a Dodger fan but I would like to see them win one soon.
Chris Young looked good in his Spring Training opener. I’m rooting for him. Such a class act.
How the Braves didn’t basicall buy Mitchell through Headley is beyond me not like we couldn’t use a bullpen piece and a stop gap 3rd baseman
For some reason I don’t think the Braves like trading with the Yankees. The only trade I can remember them making in recent history was Shreve/Carpenter for Banuelos. I remember reading an article about how the Yankees had serious interest in Jose Peraza and the Braves said he was basically untouchable. Only to trade him a few months later in that 12 (?) player trade. Probably just my imagination but it seems true.
The Padres rotation isn’t as bad as many people think,
1.Richard
2.Perdomo
3.Lamet
4.Mitchell
5.T.Ross/Strahm
6.Rea
There is a lot of potential with that group right there. People poke fun at the Padres rotation right now but there is some very interesting names in there all with something to prove. Then you couple that with the potential promotions of Quantrill, Nix, Lockett, Luchesschi and Laurer looming in the near future.
Every rotation has “upside.” None of those guys are good right now
The Padres rotation is as bad as people think.
I disagree. It is worse, easily worse. That rotation is an abomination. All #5 starters at best. San Diego really needs its top arms(Gore, Baez, Quantrill, etc) to develop.
“We’re better than people think,” and “Clayton Richard’s our best pitcher” don’t really work well together
Can’t figure out why they have him at #1 either. He should be # 5.
Who is starting opening day? Might be Richard.
Lol. Exactly what I was thinking. He should’ve put perdomo or lamet first so he could’ve maybe convinced somebody out there of the “upside”
Out of that group, I’d say Lamet is probably going to be the most intriguing to watch, especially after he showed a lot of promise by the end of last season. Mitchell will be interesting too now that he’s being given a full time starting role. Maybe working with Balsley will help him.
The padres team and farm system as a whole is truely something special, many haven’t realized it yet! They won’t compete this year, that’s a fact, but they are very quickly headed in that direction. As for the rotation, it’s a work in progress, it will definatelly get better as guys work their way up through the farm….as for right now it’ll do. The Padres are right on track to becoming a team that will not longer be the laughing stock of baseball, unfortunately they’re not there yet, but watch out next year and the years to follow, they will be dominate in every aspect of their game…..I’m a Cubs fan by the way.
Like every prospect is going to be a star. The Dodgers farm system is only slightly below the Padres and their major league club is far better. No one is afraid of the Padres.
Cause the dodgers have to go out and spend $$$. Which hasnt won them a world series yet.
In fact, didnt the dodgers just lose to the astros who epitomize the tank, farm, win system.
Spend money on the farm system? You mean what the Padres did with half their top guys with international spending. Padres used that pipeline just as much as the Dodgers. Dodgers drafted Verdugo, Buehler, DJ Peters, Mitchell White, Will smith who are among their top guys. Plus the 2 guys that just won ROY were drafted. but no they bought their farm system. You sound clueless. These trolls are clueless
No one ever said they would all be stars….but look at their farm system, actually study it and you will see that they’ve got a damn good one. It’s not a fake system to shrug off. You must be a Dodgers fan because you appear to be speaking as a fan and ignoring facts backed by stats. Oh yea, by the way, no ones afraid of the Dodgers lol! The padres will be superior to the Dodgers in the near future and they will do that with a far lower payroll.
Dodgers are garbage, enough said. Your obviously worried about the team down south dominating the Dodgers in the near future.
I’ve been hearing that about the Padres for the last 20 years! I still don’t believe it!
Not a dodgers fan, but the dodgers aren’t garbage. Just considering they won the NL last year.
Even when they start winning they will be the laughing stock baseball. The Padres never finish last in baseball, and yet all these baseball fans peg them as the worst team year in and year out. You won’t belive how many “dodger” fans truly belive the Padres finished in last place last year… Everyone just hates San Diego.
Warning: total straw man argument.
They will be.
That rotation is complete garbage. I will admit Lamet has flashed good stuff but thats about it. Not one of those guys have actually gone out anr proven to be anything more than a #4 starter
Padres have plenty of Dodger killers coming up through the farm.
If you don’t think that rotation is as bad as people think just look at the pitcher you have in the #1 spot. He is a swingman on just about every other team that will have him. He led the league in hits allowed last year while carrying a 1.515 WHIP.
If that rotation isn’t that bad I challenge you to find 2 that are worse. Heck, even the Marlins are superior. The only one that comes close is the White Sox and I would honestly have to say they will probably have a better year as it stands now.
The Padres need their prospects to develop, because, without them they have wasted $200m on Hosmer and Myers.
Marlins rotation? Wei yen Chen, Dan straily, Jose urena. I don’t even know how the marlins fill their rotation out. The padres could edge them if lamet and perdomo improve. I wouldnt be surprised if the White Sox rotation wasn’t better than both of them.
Conley ? He’s still there right ? And minor leaguers on st invites
Kershaw will retire a Dodger.
Signed,
A Yankees Fan
At least, I hope he does.
Signed,
Another Yankee Fan
Kershaw needs more money.
The Dodgers can afford to over pay Kershaw and consider it payback for his prime years. Clayton is smart enough to see the FA landscape changing.
As long as it doesn’t affect their luxury tax goals, the deal could be completed soon.
Kershaw is not going anywhere.
Said every fan in Cleveland about Lebron.
Completely different situation in a completely different sport. What a silly comparison. Get outta here.
How is it a different situation? Face of a franchise with an option to opt out and become a FA instead of signing an extension,city,fans,ownership stunned. Nice that you have the ability to state the obvious “different sport”. Doesn’t matter the sport chief but nice hearing from you. Geesh